Three Sentenced In Colbert County Woman’s Murder

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TUSCUMBIA, Ala. (WHNT) - Three people facing criminal charges in the Colbert County murder case of Amanda Taylor were sentenced Tuesday morning.

Family members of Taylor said despite the crime against their daughter being irreprehensible, they would have pleaded for leniency on behalf of one of the defendants if given the chance.

Just before 10am Laurel Pruett, Ashley Greenhill and Matthew Fox were all led into the Colbert County Courthouse for sentencing before Judge Jackie Hatcher.

All three co-defendants pleaded guilty to abuse of a corpse and hindering prosecution days before the murder trial of Ronald Weems was set to begin.

“It is something that we knew, we had ok’ed it, we had to have their testimony. So, I just believe that God is in control and He will take care of everything else,” explained Billy Leeth, the victim’s father.

During sentencing, Judge Hatcher said even though the three reached plea agreements; there is no way the crimes they committed could be minimized.

Hatcher went on to say if it wasn’t for the cooperation Ashley Greenhill gave investigators, the murder of Amanda Taylor may have gone unsolved.

Taylor’s father, Billy Leeth agreed, “She really had the most to lose, and did the least. If I could have pleaded for one of them, I would have asked for some leniency for her.”

Each defendant was sentenced to 10-years in prison for each charge, to run concurrently.

Billy Leeth and his family now have one more date in court, the sentencing of Ronald Weems on May 16th.

“It's the one we are most looking forward to,” stated Leeth. “To try and put the final nail in the coffin, so to speak and get this behind us.”

Ronald Weems was convicted of the 2011 murder and dismemberment of Amanda Taylor in April.